Internet Entrepreneurs Draw a Crowd in China – David Barboza

Even before China’s annual “Internet summit” got under way here, Charles Zhang, the stylish founder of the Web portal Sohu.com, was holding court in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel, standing before a crush of reporters and television cameras.

Soon after, two other Chinese Internet superstars, William Ding, the 34-year-old chief executive of Netease.com, and Ma Huateng, also 34, the founder of Tencent.com, made their way toward the hotel’s grand ballroom, pursued like a pair of rock stars.